Final UCAS advice ahead of A Level results day

UCAS is offering help and advice this week as students receive their A-Level results.

Published:13:36Updated:14:13Tuesday 11 August 2015

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With one in 10 students placed through Clearing last year, UCAS is offering all the information people will need to be fully prepared - whatever grades are achieved.

Courses with vacancies will be live to view on their website from 6pm on tomorrow, Wednesday August 12, evening. Applicants can log into Track on the UCAS website from 8am on results day (August 13) to see if their place has been confirmed, or if they are eligible to use Clearing - the system which matches unplaced applicants with suitable vacancies.

Universities and colleges will be keen to speak with qualified applicants and can make verbal offers from the morning onwards. After doing their research and speaking to admissions offices, students can then confirm their Clearing choice in Track from 5pm.

Key Clearing facts:

• Clearing is an important route into university – around one in 10 students who started university last year got their place this way.

• Of the 30 per cent of students not accepted to their firm ‘first’ choice, around two thirds still get a university place – about half through their insurance choice and half through Clearing.

• Almost all UCAS universities use Clearing for some of their courses - including those with the highest entry requirements.

• But don’t leave it too late – about half of people using Clearing will be placed by the Monday after results day.

• If Clearing isn’t right for you now, there’s always next year. Around half of 18 year olds who didn’t get in to university apply again the next year. And around 90 per cent of them get in second time.

Mary Curnock Cook, UCAS Chief Executive said: “Higher Education is a life-defining experience, and half a million students each year now take up the challenge.

“If you think you’ll be using the Clearing route to get there, don’t worry - record numbers of students were placed that way last year. Most universities will have some courses with vacancies, including in subjects you might not have considered when first filling out your UCAS application.

“Universities and colleges will want to talk you – but remember to prepare and do your research before discussing your options with them. You’ll find all the information you need about Clearing on our website.”

Last year 512,000 people secured a place at university or college through UCAS, with 61,300 students being accepted through Clearing.